Harry c



(No Model.)

H. G. GAMMETER.

SLED.

No. 484,632. Patented 0 01;. 18, 1892.

WITNESSES J 7m; ATTORNEY.

' UNITED STATES PATENT HARRY C. GAMIWIETER, OF AKRON, OHIO.

SLED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 484,632, dated October18, 1892.

Application filed April 25,1892. $erial No. 430.489. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, HARRY O. GAMMETER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Coasters, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inbicycle-coasters.

The object of my invention is to provide a coaster adapted to becontrolled in its motion and maintain its equilibrium similarly to abicycle, the gravity of the rider and the ma chine effecting the motionthereof in the form hereinbelow described and illustrated.

The peculiarities of my device will be hereinafter fully described inthe specification and particularly pointed out and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, on which like reference-letters indicatecorresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a side view of my device,portions being broken away to show the construction; Fig. 2, a plan Viewof the same; Fig.3, a fragmentary view showing the hinged connection,and Fig. 4 a similar view showing the brake arrangement.

The letters A A designate side bars of hard wood or other suitablematerial, bent or otherwise shaped to an arched form, as shown inFig. 1. These bars are separated by blocks B, bolted between the same,and their forward ends fit into a bracket or clamping-piece G, intowhich they are tapered, as shown in Fig. 3, and firmly secured. At thetop of the side bars, as seen in Fig. 1, is secured a bracingpiece D,serving as a backbone and carrying an adjustable seat E. The forward endis provided with a bracket F, which, together with the bracket 0 on theside bars, constitute the hinge for the connection of the front posts G,consisting of two bars of wood carrying matching-pieces F 0', connectedby pivot-bolts f c with the main frame, whereby the forward member isturned from side to side. A handle-bar H, secured by straps or otherwiseto said posts, gives control of the same. Between the front posts andthe rear ends of the side bars are pivoted hard-wood runners I and J,preferably shod with metal and secured by bolts 2' j to allowoscillating motion in passing over uneven surface. The

feet of the rider when placed upon foot-rests K assist in the guiding ofthe coaster.

A brake mechanism for regulating the speed of the coaster is shown, andconsists of a brake-lever L under the handle-bar and connected with abell-crank lever M- by a rod N, so that a push on said rod will pull thewire cord 0, connected with the said levers P on the rear runner. Anyconvenient form of brake mechanism may be employed.

It will be seen that the coaster is not a motor-machine in the ordinarysense of the word, but is designed to test the skill of the rider inmaintaining his equilibrium and provide exhilarating exercise in theelement of danger contained in operating the coaster. Since it is notself-supporting, the balance of the rider is maintained only by hisskill in operating the coaster, and it has been found by practical testthat the device is an entire practical success, and its merits andnovelty have created a demand for the same.

I do not limit myself to the exact construction herein shown anddescribed, and may vary therefrom in working out the device for themanufacturer. I Wish to claim broadly, however, the construction of acoaster receiving its motion by gravity on an inclined surface andmaintaining its equilibrium by the adjustments of its parts under theskill of the rider.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a bicycle-coaster, the combination, with a front runner, of a rearrunner normally in the same plane and a connecting-frame adapted tocarry a rider and provided with a hinge to allow the balance andguidance of the machine by the rider, the acceleration of the motiveimpulse being effected solely by the gravity of the balanced maohine'andrider on an inclined sliding surface.

2. In a bicycle-coaster, the combination, with a front runner and a rearrunner, of a connecting-frame pivoted to said runners at its ends andconsisting of a front headstock having handle-bars and a rearseat-carrying frame pivoted to said stock, a pair of doglevers pivotedon opposite sides of the rear runner, a brake-lever near the handles,and a connection between said dog-levers and said brake-lever actingequally on the dog-levers to retard the coaster.

3. In a bicycle-coaster, the combination, with side bars arched andbraced in their separated position to form a bifurcated rear end, aclamping-bracket for the forward ends to secure them firmly together, abracingpiece at the top of said side bars, adapted to carry the seat,and a bracket-piece at the forward end of said bracing-piece, of a frontpost having handle-bars and adapted to be pivoted to said bracket andclamping-pieces, respectively, and bifurcated at its lower end, aforward runner pivotally mounted in said bifurcated end of thepost, anda rear runner pivoted to the rear ends of said side barsin line with thesaid forward runner and adapted to track in the same path.

In testimony whereofI aflix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY O. GAMMETER. \Vitnesses:

E. E. OTIS, E. P. OTIS.

